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ABSTRACT: Immunization is one of the most important public health interventions and a cost effective strategy to control the infectious diseases especially in children. Complete immunization coverage in India has increased from below 20% in the 1980s to nearly 61% at present, but still more than 1/3rd children remain un-immunized. Advent of combination vaccines has facilitated incorporation of additional vaccines into immunization schedule. Pentavalent vaccine, against five killer diseases-diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Hemophilus influenza type B (Hib), has been introduced in almost all GAVI eligible countries by 2011. Government of India introduced the vaccine in two states in pilot phase and has given green signal to 6 more states. The use of pentavalent vaccine automatically raises the coverage level of hepatitis B and Hib vaccines. If the vaccines are provided individually, the coverage of hepatitis B and Hib vaccines usually lags behind DPT coverage. This gap can be filled by using pentavalent vaccine in routine immunization programmes.
Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. 09/2012; 8(9).
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ABSTRACT: Tetanus is an acute, potentially fatal disease, caused by a bacterium, Clostridium tetani. The disease usually occurs in newborns through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, particularly when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument. NT contributes to 5-7% of neonatal mortality worldwide. Several thousand mothers are also estimated to die annually of maternal tetanus. MNT elimination relies on promotion of maternal tetanus immunization along with safe delivery and avoidance of unsafe abortion and umbilical cord care practices. The Government of India (1983) introduced at least two doses of tetanus toxoid vaccine (TT) to all pregnant women during each pregnancy as a part of its nationwide immunization policy. To date, a total of 15 States including union territories of the India have achieved NT elimination. The remaining Indian States need to strengthen TT coverage to save the lives of neonates as well as mothers from tetanus.
Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. 08/2012; 8(8).
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ABSTRACT: Tetanus is an acute, potentially fatal disease, caused by a bacterium, Clostridium tetani. It usually occurs in newborns through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, particularly when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument. Neonatal tetanus contributes to 5-7% of the neonatal mortality worldwide. Several thousand mothers are also estimated to die of maternal tetanus. Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination relies on promotion of maternal tetanus immunization alongwith safe delivery, and avoidance of unsafe abortion and umbilical cord care practices. The Government of India (1983) introduced at least two doses of tetanus toxoid (TT) to all pregnant women during each pregnancy as a part of nationwide immunization policy. Till date, a total of 15 states including union territories of the India have achieved neonatal tetanus elimination. The remaining Indian States need to strengthen TT coverage to save the lives of neonates as well mothers from tetanus.
Human vaccines 08/2012; 8(8-8). · 3.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tetanus is an acute, potentially fatal disease, caused by a bacterium, Clostridium tetani. The disease usually occurs in newborns through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, particularly when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument. NT contributes to 5-7% of neonatal mortality worldwide. Several thousand mothers are also estimated to die annually of maternal tetanus. MNT elimination relies on promotion of maternal tetanus immunization along with safe delivery, and avoidance of unsafe abortion and umbilical cord care practices. The Government of India (1983) introduced at least two doses of tetanus toxoid vaccine (TT) to all pregnant women during each pregnancy as a part of its nationwide immunization policy. To date, a total of 15 States including union territories of the India have achieved NT elimination. The remaining Indian States need to strengthen TT coverage to save the lives of neonates as well as mothers from tetanus.
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 08/2012; 8(8).
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Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 07/2012; 8(7).
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ABSTRACT: Malaria remains one of the few diseases those continue to scourge human civilization despite the significant advances in disease control strategies over the last century. Malaria is responsible for more than 500 million cases and 1-3 million deaths annually. Approximately 85% of these deaths are among children, mostly in Africa, primarily due to P. falciparum. Whole cell vaccines, irradiated sporozoites and genetically attenuated sporozoites have demonstrated long lasting, sterile protection against plasmodium infection in animal and experimental clinical studies. Atypical membrane protein 1 and merozoite surface protein 1 are the two most extensively studied asexual blood stage vaccine candidates. The most promising candidate vaccine under development is RTS, S combined with AS01 adjuvant. Initial results from phase III trials of this candidate vaccine show 50% reduction of malaria in 5-17 mo aged children during the 12 mo after vaccination. WHO anticipates that the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine will be recommended for the 6-14 week age group for co-administration together with other vaccines as part of routine immunization programs in malaria endemic countries. Malaria vaccine could play an important role in elimination and eventual eradication of malaria.
Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. 06/2012; 8(6):819-22.
